Nurse Essentials: A podcast focused on caring for you
Nurse Essentials: A podcast focused on caring for you
Turning Ideas into Innovations
Karen Schaedlich, MSN, RN, innovation coordinator in the Office of Nursing Research & Innovation, believes nurses are natural problem-solvers. In the latest episode of Nurse Essentials, she discusses how they can embrace innovation to create novel products and processes for healthcare.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
Sometimes as nurses when we hear the word innovation, or innovators, we think grandiose or a product to have in hand. But in any given nurse's day, there's always some problem to solve, some workaround that we come up with. I'm joined today by Karen Schaedlich To help us learn how to take that idea and make it into an innovation. Hi, and welcome to Nurse Essentials, a Cleveland Clinic podcast where we discuss all things nursing. From patient care, to advancing your career, to navigating tough on-the-job issues. We're so glad you're here. I'm your host, Carol Pehotsky, associate chief nursing officer of surgical services nursing.
(00:47):
Welcome back everyone. The American Nurses Association has said, "Every nurse as an agent of change And an innovator." And I gotta say, in my 20 plus years of nursing, I don't know that I really thought of myself as an innovator necessarily. There were times in my career where someone would come up with an idea and I'd get a lot of energy iterating with them, just sort of, "Okay well where can we take that to?" But I wasn't necessarily what I would envision as the ideas person. Fast-forward to doing my doctorate and of course when you do doctoral projects, you need to come up with a theory that further supports the project. And I found my way to Rogers' Diffusion of Innovation theory. And he really talked about with any innovation, you've got that bell curve, you've got your innovators that- that, sort of that -2 standard deviations, (laughs) and then the early adopters, followed by the rest.
(01:34):
And I've always sort of associated with that early adopter group. But I'm doing by someone today who might argue with me and really talk about how truly, as the ANA said, every nurse is an innovator. I'm thrilled to be joined today by Karen Schaedlich. Karen is an amazing nurse and our innovation coordinator at Cleveland clinic. Karen, welcome. Thank you for joining me today.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
Well, thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
So I got to know, tell us about your nursing journey, and what led you-
Speaker 2 (01:54):
(laughs)
Speaker 1 (01:58):
... to innovations in your role today?
Speaker 2 (02:00):
Yes. Starting as a nurse I would never have expected-
Speaker 1 (02:03):
(laughs) Similar, yeah?
Speaker 2 (02:04):
Yes. But That's what I love about nursing.
Speaker 1 (02:05):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
Truly there's so many opportunities. So, I have kind of as a nurse been born and raised here. I started as a nursing assistant during nursing school.
Speaker 1 (02:06):
Oh great. All right.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
In the surgery center. And then I took a hard right when I graduated-
Speaker 1 (02:19):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
... and went into oncology.
Speaker 1 (02:21):
Oh wow.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
So, I did in-patient bone marrow transplant, outpatient fusion.
Speaker 1 (02:25):
Hm. Wow.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
I did clinical education and then-
Speaker 1 (02:26):
Hm.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
... I was a nurse manager. So-
Speaker 1 (02:30):
Oh, what kinda un- unit were you a manager of?
Speaker 2 (02:32):
Hillcrest Cancer Center.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
Loved it.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
Wow, yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
Yeah, no, it was great, but a recognized I needed to take a step back from my family at that time.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
Hm, sure.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
Uh, we just had a lot of like physical health things that you know, you just need to-
Speaker 1 (02:42):
Yeah. Being a nurse manager is not easy work. (laughs)
Speaker 2 (02:45):
No, no. And so, when I was looking to move forward, one of the last things we did was, we were involved with clinical improvement.
Speaker 1 (02:54):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
I loved just the empowerment that I saw my nurses possess and-
Speaker 1 (02:59):
Hm. Sure.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
... they were excited. And I really wanted something where I could encourage nurses.
Speaker 1 (02:59):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
And so when I saw this position-
Speaker 1 (03:03):
Mm-hmm, hm.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
... I was not quite sure.
Speaker 1 (03:06):
(laughs)
Speaker 2 (03:09):
I heard the word innovation-
Speaker 1 (03:09):
Sure yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
... so many times. So it really piqued my interest.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (03:12):
But I knew that, you know, it was an empowering probably position-
Speaker 1 (03:18):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
... that, you know, piqued my interest. And I wanted to work for Nancy Albert, so.
Speaker 1 (03:21):
Wow, yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:22):
That led-
Speaker 1 (03:23):
She's amazing. (laughs)
Speaker 2 (03:24):
She is.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
She's been on the show twice. (laughs)
Speaker 2 (03:24):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
So- so, that's what led me here.
Speaker 1 (03:27):
All right.
Speaker 2 (03:28):
And even six years later, I feel like I'm still learning, still growing.
Speaker 1 (03:29):
Oh, that's fantastic.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
It still has me kinda, you know, wanting more and-
Speaker 1 (03:33):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
... there's just so many opportunities even within innovation, so it's been a neat journey.
Speaker 1 (03:39):
Fantastic. Well, and so, like we've both said, you know, nurses might be innovators but we don't always see ourselves that way. So to get us started, how do you define innovation?
Speaker 2 (03:50):
While in simple, it's creating something new. We call that novel.
Speaker 1 (03:51):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (03:54):
And it can be a whole number of things. It can be something simple an idea-
Speaker 1 (03:58):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (03:59):
... a method, a service, a product. You can determine that through research, maybe you had to develop your own tool or algorithm.
Speaker 1 (04:06):
Hm.
Speaker 2 (04:07):
There really is a wide breadth of what innovation can be.
Speaker 1 (04:10):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (04:10):
But I would even take it further, bringing these ideas into reality.
Speaker 1 (04:14):
Sure. That's probably the shortcoming of my thinking too and probably others as well is, it's so easy to go innovation and think that there's a physical thing that comes out of that.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
It is.
Speaker 1 (04:23):
Yeah. But so any idea-
Speaker 2 (04:23):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:25):
... can be innovation?
Speaker 2 (04:26):
Yeah, and so what my job is, I see not only ideas that can be externally marketed-
Speaker 1 (04:32):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
... but also internal improvements. So it's-
Speaker 1 (04:34):
Oh sure.
Speaker 2 (04:35):
You know, again, anything that's new, novel, that adds value, that's unique.
Speaker 1 (04:39):
Hm.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
Those are the two really good key characteristics that you need.
Speaker 1 (04:43):
And there's lots of things that bedside nurses can do that brings value.
Speaker 2 (04:46):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (04:46):
All right.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (04:47):
Okay. So lots happening in the world of healthcare and innovation, that I imagine. What do you think makes nurses uniquely qualified to innovate or iterate on innovations in health care?
Speaker 2 (05:00):
Mm-hmm. I think of is kind of like the hub with the patient.
Speaker 1 (05:03):
Okay. Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (05:03):
And so, we're the ones that are spending the most time with the patients generally, and we see lots of people coming in and out, whether that is the families, you know, the other specialties, but we really have the unique opportunity To hear and see what the patients want. What's working for them, what may be is not working for them and their families-
Speaker 1 (05:21):
Hm, mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (05:22):
... and coworkers. And so, I think that uniqueness helps us be able to understand what could really work well-
Speaker 1 (05:28):
Sure.
Speaker 2 (05:29):
... in the healthcare environment.
Speaker 1 (05:31):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (05:31):
We're the largest sector in healthcare.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
Yeah. (laughs)
Speaker 2 (05:33):
So-
Speaker 1 (05:34):
Yep.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
You know, we should be at the table, helping innovate those products that we're going to be using.
Speaker 1 (05:40):
Sure.
Speaker 2 (05:40):
We need to have our voices heard. That's only going to help us make better products, where nurses are going to be more passionate to use them, be those early adopters, when they can see that this really has been vetted by people who understand-
Speaker 1 (05:53):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
... what we're going through.
Speaker 1 (05:53):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
And then, we're natural problem solvers, they say, on average.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
(laughs) For better or worse.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
Right? We're MacGuyvers.
Speaker 1 (05:59):
(laughs)
Speaker 2 (06:00):
And so, they say on average we do about four workarounds per shift.
Speaker 1 (06:05):
No.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
(laughs)
Speaker 2 (06:06):
I know, right? So-
Speaker 1 (06:08):
Well, there you go. (laughs)
Speaker 2 (06:09):
So, yeah. So, what I say is, I'm not so much, you know, creating new innovators-
Speaker 1 (06:09):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
... I'm just helping nurses recognize that within themselves, and taking time to stop, really determining how they can move forward, and then cultivating those ideas and helping them with next steps.
Speaker 1 (06:25):
Sure. Why is there a workaround? And is it something that actually could be a different way of doing things?
Speaker 2 (06:30):
Right, exactly. And sometimes, you know, what you think is the workaround is because, you know, when you peel back the onion-
Speaker 1 (06:30):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (06:36):
... there is a totally different problem-
Speaker 1 (06:38):
Sure.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
... that we need to solve.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
(laughs)
Speaker 2 (06:39):
So, that's an important part of it, is really understanding the problem, and the crux to the issue-
Speaker 1 (06:44):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (06:44):
... where we can, you know, we don't want to solve it with a band-aid, we wanna solve it for good, so.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
I love it, yes. So, you know, thinking about, it can be something that isn't necessarily terribly complex, but something that works-
Speaker 2 (06:56):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
... can you walk us through sort of that fuzzy idea to implementation? What are some of the steps a nurse would have to take, to really take this, "I have this idea about- "
Speaker 2 (06:56):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 1 (07:06):
... and make it into reality?
Speaker 2 (07:08):
Well, I think there's some early steps that can be key.
Speaker 1 (07:11):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
First is understanding and taking time to understand what you're trying to solve, understanding that problem-
Speaker 1 (07:11):
Mm-hmm, sure.
Speaker 2 (07:16):
... that we talked about. And then kinda conceptualizing what you want it to look like, what it features and whatnot. And then, one thing I encourage nurses to do, and they don't always want to, is go online to see if it's already out there.
Speaker 1 (07:27):
(laughs) "Did somebody beat me to it?" (laughs)
Speaker 2 (07:28):
Yes, yeah. We don't wanna reinvent the wheel. I've seen nurses get so excited over ideas-
Speaker 1 (07:29):
Hm, sure.
Speaker 2 (07:33):
... and I'm Googling, I'm like, "It's there already."
Speaker 1 (07:36):
Yeah. (laughs)
Speaker 2 (07:37):
Um, and so what I say is that that can be a win too.
Speaker 1 (07:39):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (07:39):
Bringing a product to Cleveland Clinic-
Speaker 1 (07:41):
Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
... that maybe we haven't, you know, seen or maybe we did in pass iterations and now it's been much improved. And so, that is a win too.
Speaker 1 (07:49):
Sure.
Speaker 2 (07:49):
So, knowing what's on the market is important, but also being able to distinguish your idea-
Speaker 1 (07:50):
Hm.
Speaker 2 (07:54):
... and how it's unique and different and adds value-
Speaker 1 (07:54):
Sure.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
... to what's already out there-
Speaker 1 (07:58):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (07:58):
... is important, because you're gonna have to say, "This is different from this product."
Speaker 1 (07:58):
Right.
Speaker 2 (08:02):
"For these reasons." This is is why hospitals would say this is is the product we want, not the product that we're using currently.
Speaker 1 (08:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:09):
So, those are the initial steps that I would say, and then once you understand what's online, then you can really kinda deep dive, conceptualize.
Speaker 1 (08:15):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
We need, you know, if it, you're baking a cake-
Speaker 1 (08:18):
(laughs)
Speaker 2 (08:19):
... we just don't need the ingredients, we need you to be kind of starting to mix-
Speaker 1 (08:22):
Well, sure, yeah. (laughs)
Speaker 2 (08:23):
So ... Because we need that vision.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
Hm, mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (08:25):
If it, when, before you share it, we at the Cleveland Clinic have the Cleveland Clinic Innovations Team, and they need to understand that vision-
Speaker 1 (08:32):
Sure.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
... um, that they can work with it, that it's your conceptualized idea. That you brought the end product of what you'd like, but you actually brought how to get there-
Speaker 1 (08:40):
Hm.
Speaker 2 (08:40):
... as well. So, I work with nurses to conceptualize that. That can sometimes be hard, and take some time.
Speaker 1 (08:45):
Yeah. Yeah. Lots of imagination.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
There, it is.
Speaker 1 (08:47):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:48):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
So, it becomes frankly a creative outlet almost.
Speaker 2 (08:51):
It is.
Speaker 1 (08:51):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:52):
It's really fun. Yeah, I mean, we can get hands on, creating a prototype-
Speaker 1 (08:56):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
... and so, at my office I have pipe cleaners, some molding clay and-
Speaker 1 (09:00):
(laughs) Cool.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
It really is. Construction paper, yeah. So, some people-
Speaker 1 (09:00):
(laughs) I love it.
Speaker 2 (09:03):
Yeah. And it's amazing. You know, they say if a picture's worth a thousand words-
Speaker 1 (09:07):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
... in your field, a prototype's worth a thousand pictures. So, if it's appropriate-
Speaker 1 (09:12):
Ah, okay.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
... a prototype's really good, even if it's basic.
Speaker 1 (09:12):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (09:14):
So, that's important, but in drawings too.
Speaker 1 (09:15):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (09:16):
And for some nurses, when they find ut about innovations, it's really fun to see their eyes light up, because it's almost like that outlet that they needed-
Speaker 1 (09:24):
Sure.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
... that they didn't realize that there was an opportunity for.
Speaker 1 (09:28):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
And when they've realized that, yes, you want my ideas-
Speaker 1 (09:28):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
... and I'm free to give them, there's no failure in these thoughts, it's just, you know, I can bring these out there, they really get excited. And so, some people come to me with, like, 10, 12 ideas that they've-
Speaker 1 (09:42):
Oh, wow. (laughs)
Speaker 2 (09:43):
... had for years. Yes.
Speaker 1 (09:44):
"Finally I've met you. Bah."
Speaker 2 (09:45):
And so ... Truly, yes. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (09:46):
(laughs)
Speaker 2 (09:47):
One person, she had a basic prototype in her nightstand for the last eight years.
Speaker 1 (09:51):
Oh.
Speaker 2 (09:52):
She didn't know where to take it to.
Speaker 1 (09:53):
What to do with it? Oh, that's so fantastic.
Speaker 2 (09:55):
Yeah, yeah. So, yeah, for some people it really is just an engaging, encouraging, empowering, um, opportunity for them.
Speaker 1 (10:03):
For sure. So, we have listeners, you know, from the whole spectrum of, "I'm a nursing student," to, "I'm mid to late career." So, hopefully someone out there is listening, saying, "Well, you know, I have this idea."
Speaker 2 (10:15):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 1 (10:16):
And they don't work at Cleveland Clinic.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 1 (10:18):
So, what advice would you give somebody, you know, we're very fortunate to have the resources we do here. Somebody who maybe doesn't know if their hospital has resources or it doesn't. What would, what advice would you give them?
Speaker 2 (10:29):
Yeah, I would say, get to know what is available at your hospital system.
Speaker 1 (10:33):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (10:33):
Intellectual property policies-
Speaker 1 (10:36):
Oh, sure. (laughs)
Speaker 2 (10:36):
... would be a good one for-
Speaker 1 (10:36):
Yeah. (laughs)
Speaker 2 (10:38):
... for, uh, yeah, hospitals. And if they don't have the resources, they may have contacts to help.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
If there is an idea, I've worked with nurses that have talked about how they've been helped externally through their hospital, but it's still connected. And then ANA is doing great work with innovation. They've really-
Speaker 1 (10:53):
Hm. Okay.
Speaker 2 (10:53):
... been focusing on that. Johnson & Johnson.
Speaker 1 (10:56):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
So, going online, going to LinkedIn, you'll find those-
Speaker 1 (10:59):
Sure.
Speaker 2 (11:00):
... people who really are invested, and really are bringing forth nursing innovations.
Speaker 1 (11:05):
Excellent. So, there's a place to go with your idea. (laughs)
Speaker 2 (11:08):
There is. It's growing. And I will say, when I started this position-
Speaker 1 (11:11):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (11:11):
... we didn't know if anyone else has a similar position in the nation.
Speaker 1 (11:12):
Sure.
Speaker 2 (11:15):
So, it's pretty exciting to be-
Speaker 1 (11:16):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
... part of it. And since then, I have fund four other innovation coordinators in the nation.
Speaker 1 (11:17):
All right.
Speaker 2 (11:22):
So, we meet quarterly. Just-
Speaker 1 (11:22):
Oh, really?
Speaker 2 (11:25):
Yeah, just to talk.
Speaker 1 (11:25):
Oh, that's so cool.
Speaker 2 (11:25):
It's a unique a- you know, aspect and-
Speaker 1 (11:27):
Very.
Speaker 2 (11:28):
... perspective we can share. You know, not getting too in the details.
Speaker 1 (11:32):
Well, yeah. (laughs)
Speaker 2 (11:32):
But, you know, there's just, you know, some things that we can, you know, all collaborate and understand each other-
Speaker 1 (11:37):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (11:38):
... on a different level, 'cause we're not innovating our ideas-
Speaker 1 (11:40):
Right.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
... we're helping others innovate their ideas. So, it's definitely growing, but-
Speaker 1 (11:44):
Yeah. Even your roles in innovation, how about that?
Speaker 2 (11:47):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:47):
(laughs) So, you've highlighted that there is some sensitivity. Uh, you know, something gets going, and, you know, I'm real excited about an idea, but I probably shouldn't share it with everybody who's willing to listen. (laughs)
Speaker 2 (11:59):
Right.
Speaker 1 (12:00):
So, what advice would you give? I'm- I'm super excited and I wanna bounce my ideas off people, but there's that risk that somebody takes and runs with it. So, what advice would you give somebody like that?
Speaker 2 (12:09):
Yeah. So, I would say, stay within your hospital system, first off.
Speaker 1 (12:14):
Okay, okay.
Speaker 2 (12:14):
Um, it is important to ask people if they think that the problem that you've identified is something that they identified too. So-
Speaker 1 (12:22):
Make sure it's a real problem, yeah.
Speaker 2 (12:22):
You never, you know, uh, it's that fine line between holding it close-
Speaker 1 (12:26):
(laughs) Yes.
Speaker 2 (12:28):
... and then als sharing. It's that fine line between collaborating with people, because you do want-
Speaker 1 (12:32):
Hm.
Speaker 2 (12:32):
... you know, different-
Speaker 1 (12:33):
Sure, yeah.
Speaker 2 (12:33):
... backgrounds and expertise can really help an idea grow, but you also don't wanna freely share.
Speaker 1 (12:40):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (12:40):
Um, vendors within the hospital system are not hospital employees, so.
Speaker 1 (12:44):
They are not, yes.
Speaker 2 (12:45):
That's what-
Speaker 1 (12:45):
Everybody rewind and hit Play on that statement again. (laughs)
Speaker 2 (12:45):
(laughs)
Speaker 1 (12:48):
[inaudible 00:12:48].
Speaker 2 (12:49):
Talk to your manager.
Speaker 1 (12:49):
Sure.
Speaker 2 (12:50):
Or reach out to your innovation coordinator team-
Speaker 1 (12:53):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
... or myself, if you're at the Cleveland Clinic, and you can ask and if you're not sure, I've encouraged some people to-
Speaker 1 (12:53):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (12:59):
... talk with, you know, fellow caregivers and say, "It's okay."
Speaker 1 (13:02):
Sure.
Speaker 2 (13:02):
And then they come back and they're like, "You're right, that was so helpful and now I've thought of- "
Speaker 1 (13:07):
Hm. Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (13:07):
" ... these other, you know, aspects to my innovation."
Speaker 1 (13:09):
Yes. And we know that some vendors will put on think tanks where they will ask pe- people to participate. That obviously is different than, yeah, turning to your local friendly rep on X, Y and Z, and saying, "What do you think?" It, you know, hopefully, you'd hope that vendor would say, "Before we go any further, we need tot alk about relationships and boundaries." But yeah, it gets messy. (laughs)
Speaker 2 (13:30):
Yeah, yeah. And at the clinic we have, Cleveland Clinic Innovations does a good job of connecting us with the external-
Speaker 1 (13:36):
Nice.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
... uh, marketplace in a way that we aren't disclosing anything we shouldn't-
Speaker 1 (13:40):
Sure.
Speaker 2 (13:40):
... and vice versa.
Speaker 1 (13:42):
Nice. And probably a lot of organizations, they have something to that effect too, in terms of boundaries and policies around sort of, when am I sharing my ideas and where am I sharing them.
Speaker 2 (13:51):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (13:52):
So, you know, at the top of the hour I had talked about that ANA quote that every nurse is an agent of change and an innovator. So, let's go back to that first part of the sentence in terms of being that agent for change, how does that change agentry and innovation connect for our- our nurse innovators?
Speaker 2 (14:09):
Well, innovation requires change.
Speaker 1 (14:09):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (14:12):
And that can be a hard thing for-
Speaker 1 (14:14):
Yeah. (laughs)
Speaker 2 (14:15):
(laughs) I, early on in my career I remember starting to say, "The only thing constant is change."
Speaker 1 (14:16):
Oh, for sure. (laughs)
Speaker 2 (14:21):
And I'm a traditionalist at heart, like at home, but when I'm at work, I was like, okay, I'm gonna have this mindset, and-
Speaker 1 (14:22):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (14:29):
... see changes as opportunities. And I think the earlier we can understand these changes can be opportunities, the better a culture can be-
Speaker 1 (14:36):
Hm, sure.
Speaker 2 (14:37):
... at adapting. So, change requires us to say, "Just because we've always done it this way- "
Speaker 1 (14:37):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (14:43):
" ... or we think it's working okay, we can recognize that there could be something better."
Speaker 1 (14:47):
Sure.
Speaker 2 (14:47):
It could better our patient outcomes-
Speaker 1 (14:49):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (14:49):
... satisfaction. And so, it's really kind of opening that understanding that we have to be okay with change.
Speaker 1 (14:56):
Yeah. Well, and I think about, you know, probably the younger generations are in a better space. My 13 year old, in her schooling they have talked about, since she was probably in first, second grade, that growth mindset. That says-
Speaker 2 (15:08):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (15:08):
... you always add, "Yet," to it. "I haven't figured this problem out yet."
Speaker 2 (15:12):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (15:12):
And so, it'll be fun to see as we ha- welcome new generations of nurses into the fold, what that growth mindset will bring to the spirit of innovation.
Speaker 2 (15:21):
Yes. Absolutely. I think that's great. And I will say, you know, the best innovation will fail if we're not willing to change.
Speaker 1 (15:28):
Well, sure, yeah.
Speaker 2 (15:29):
So, it really is the last part of an innovation-
Speaker 1 (15:29):
Hm, mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (15:33):
... you can develop a wonderful-
Speaker 1 (15:33):
(laughs)
Speaker 2 (15:35):
... you know, product, we'll say, and have it patented, and bring it to the marketplace-
Speaker 1 (15:39):
Sure.
Speaker 2 (15:40):
... but if those adopters aren't willing to make that change, it's going to fall flat.
Speaker 1 (15:44):
Right.
Speaker 2 (15:44):
And so it really is a very important piece to innovation.
Speaker 1 (15:48):
So, I imagine that's probably another space that some potential nurse innovators struggle with, is sorta that business, or the pitch. What kind of advice would you give somebody who says, "Well, I've got this idea, but I- I don't, I'm not a sales person, I don't know how I'd convince somebody to use it.
Speaker 2 (16:03):
So, you wanna surround yourself with a team that can hep.
Speaker 1 (16:05):
Sure.
Speaker 2 (16:06):
And truly, I think of it, like, this way, you have an expertise that is critical for this-
Speaker 1 (16:06):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
... idea to move forward, everybody has their own expertise. And so, you need-
Speaker 1 (16:12):
Oh, yeah. Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (16:17):
... the expertise of everybody in it. So, you know, go into it knowing that you're gonna be learning and growing.
Speaker 1 (16:17):
Hm, mm-hmm. (laughs)
Speaker 2 (16:23):
And so, seek to have a team that's supportive and can help teach you along the way. So-
Speaker 1 (16:28):
Sure.
Speaker 2 (16:28):
Yes, but the last thing we want you to do is to-
Speaker 1 (16:31):
(laughs)
Speaker 2 (16:32):
... just put it in your nightstand-
Speaker 1 (16:33):
Yeah. (laughs)
Speaker 2 (16:33):
... and not move forward with it.
Speaker 1 (16:35):
That's right. That's right.
Speaker 2 (16:35):
So.
Speaker 1 (16:36):
Like, you can tell when somebody's really passionate about something. And so that-
Speaker 2 (16:36):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (16:40):
... elicits support and interest in itself, is just talking to somebody who's really passionate about something.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
It does, yeah. And we can re- recognize then, it's so exciting when somebody's passionate. And everybody has, uh, different passion.
Speaker 1 (16:44):
Sure.
Speaker 2 (16:51):
And it's really fun to help move them forward with it.
Speaker 1 (16:54):
Yeah. So, we have hopefully some nursing leaders listening to this episode as well. So, I'm- I'm a nurse manager, I'm a CNO, I'm a director, what, as a leader of a group of nurses, can I do to help create a culture that welcomes and embraces and encourages innovation?
Speaker 2 (17:11):
Well, first I would say, be an innovator yourself.
Speaker 1 (17:15):
Okay. (laughs)
Speaker 2 (17:15):
I noticed when I get ideas through our portal, those units that have a leader that's innovating, or bring ideas-
Speaker 1 (17:23):
Ah, sure.
Speaker 2 (17:24):
... tend to have more people-
Speaker 1 (17:25):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (17:25):
... bringing forward ideas-
Speaker 1 (17:27):
Hm.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
... themselves. So, I would say, you know, really try to push yourself-
Speaker 1 (17:32):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (17:32):
... to think outside the box, so to speak.
Speaker 1 (17:34):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (17:34):
And then just having a culture of empowerment-
Speaker 1 (17:35):
Hm.
Speaker 2 (17:38):
... and encouragement I think is crucial. I think nurses are sometimes afraid the fail. We live in a-
Speaker 1 (17:43):
Oh, yeah.
Speaker 2 (17:44):
... high risk environment-
Speaker 1 (17:44):
Yep, yep.
Speaker 2 (17:45):
... we have patients' lives. And so, it can feel really intimidating the bring forward ideas.
Speaker 1 (17:51):
Sure.
Speaker 2 (17:52):
And so, nurses sometimes are hesitant to do that.
Speaker 1 (17:52):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (17:55):
But the more we can encourage them and just understand that we all have different maybe outlooks and-
Speaker 1 (18:01):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (18:01):
... takes of how something should move forward and encourage, that I think the more you're going to have a culture where they embrace innovations.
Speaker 1 (18:09):
Uh, you know, you mentioned shared governance, and- and it all ties together, right? Is if you've got a group of nurses or nursing professionals on your unit that are trying to think about how to make things better, does this ultimately sometimes become a product of that too?
Speaker 2 (18:21):
Yeah, I would say, besides knowing that that's an opportunity-
Speaker 1 (18:25):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (18:25):
... I think they need to know that that is an option, and sometimes-
Speaker 1 (18:25):
Sure.
Speaker 2 (18:28):
... I've had teams actually come together and say, "We're identifying this problem, and we're not sure how to move forward with it- "
Speaker 1 (18:28):
Ah.
Speaker 2 (18:34):
" ... but we think there could be an innovation."
Speaker 1 (18:34):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (18:36):
And so, I've gotten to work with groups, and taking that problem and really changing the narrative, and just say-
Speaker 1 (18:42):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (18:42):
... "How might we solve this?" And they've come up with ideas. I think it's just, again, leveraging that empowerment-
Speaker 1 (18:43):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (18:49):
... that we can make the changes, and that our voices need to be heard. So, the more nurses' voices are feeling confident that they can bring ideas forward-
Speaker 1 (18:58):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (18:58):
... whether it is continuous improvement or internal improvements, or maybe an EPIC-
Speaker 1 (19:02):
Sure, yeah.
Speaker 2 (19:02):
... you know, small idea, the more we can just foster that environment to bring these ideas forward. Not all are gonna go through, and that's okay.
Speaker 1 (19:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (19:09):
That's expected.
Speaker 1 (19:10):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (19:11):
The more opportunity we have to actually bring forth ideas.
Speaker 1 (19:15):
So, I'm sure we have people listening right now that are saying, "I'd love to be an innovator, I'd love to be part of this, I just don't think I have any fresh ideas." What are some things that I could do to sorta get those nursing creative juices flowing?
Speaker 2 (19:27):
Uh. So, one thing that I would say, that's kind of concrete, is to have a piece of paper in your pocket, that as you're going throughout the day-
Speaker 1 (19:35):
Oh.
Speaker 2 (19:36):
... maybe if you're identifying a problem that just frustrates, because-
Speaker 1 (19:39):
Sure. (laughs)
Speaker 2 (19:39):
... maybe you do it five times a day, or it just-
Speaker 1 (19:41):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (19:41):
... stops your day.
Speaker 1 (19:43):
Yeah. Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (19:44):
Write it down-
Speaker 1 (19:45):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (19:45):
... don't think about it, maybe, and just keep going-
Speaker 1 (19:45):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (19:47):
... keep writing those things down, and then at the end of the week, month-
Speaker 1 (19:47):
Ah.
Speaker 2 (19:50):
... you can look down and see what are the things that keep popping up, that you keep-
Speaker 1 (19:50):
Hm.
Speaker 2 (19:54):
... you know, writing down.
Speaker 1 (19:56):
Sure.
Speaker 2 (19:56):
That's probably where your passion lies. And so, how can you help think of the, you know, opportunities. So, that is a good, concrete way. But always just have an inquisitive mindset, I think is so important.
Speaker 1 (19:56):
Hm, mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (20:09):
Always, if something's not fully meeting the needs, ask yourself why.
Speaker 1 (20:13):
Sure.
Speaker 2 (20:14):
I talked to somebody, over actually in the Netherlands, and he was saying-
Speaker 1 (20:18):
(laughs) Cool.
Speaker 2 (20:20):
... innovation's a small part. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (20:20):
That's right. (laughs)
Speaker 2 (20:22):
So, (laughs) but he was saying a nurse came and said, "I have no ideas, I have nothing- "
Speaker 1 (20:26):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (20:26):
" ... and I just wanna go home, my knees hurt."
Speaker 1 (20:28):
Oh. (laughs) Aw.
Speaker 2 (20:28):
And he's like, "Well, why are- are, do your knees hurt?" She was like, "Well, I had to get down on the floor about eight times today- "
Speaker 1 (20:33):
Well. (laughs)
Speaker 2 (20:34):
" ... looking at something," and, you know, one thing led to another-
Speaker 1 (20:36):
Sure.
Speaker 2 (20:37):
... and here she had an innovation.
Speaker 1 (20:38):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (20:39):
And to keep them from having to-
Speaker 1 (20:39):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (20:41):
... look at something that was pretty much on the floor, that she just had to get down.
Speaker 1 (20:45):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (20:45):
So, you know, you never know-
Speaker 1 (20:45):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (20:47):
... what your ideas are gonna stem from.
Speaker 1 (20:49):
So, appreciating that in your role you're exposed to lots of sensitive information, can you share with us a story that truly went from idea, all the way to a product that we could use today?
Speaker 2 (20:59):
Sure. So, we have the High-Line, Jane Hartman.
Speaker 1 (21:03):
Okay. Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (21:03):
She's a CNS here-
Speaker 1 (21:03):
(laughs)
Speaker 2 (21:03):
... she developed ... And I just love her story, because it started out, she's a pediatric CNS-
Speaker 1 (21:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (21:09):
... and she wanted to get the lines off the floor, when her, you know, little patients were ambulating-
Speaker 1 (21:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (21:15):
... and they're, you know-
Speaker 1 (21:16):
Sure. (laughs)
Speaker 2 (21:17):
... dragging these lines. And so, he goal was to get these lines off the floor. And so, she developed the initial prototype in her office, it's actually with, like, a keyring, and it-
Speaker 1 (21:17):
Ah. (laughs)
Speaker 2 (21:26):
... it's very basic.
Speaker 1 (21:27):
That's so cool. (laughs)
Speaker 2 (21:28):
I love the picture of how it developed. And so, she submitted it, it was, kinda went back and forth with CC Innovations.
Speaker 1 (21:28):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (21:36):
And then her son, who she trusted-
Speaker 1 (21:39):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (21:39):
There's a good example of somebody you can trust.
Speaker 1 (21:41):
Yes, yep. (laughs)
Speaker 2 (21:41):
He had access to a CAD Developer, and so he created a 3D-
Speaker 1 (21:45):
Oh. Oh, nice.
Speaker 2 (21:45):
... prototype of what she was was working with.
Speaker 1 (21:47):
Okay. Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2 (21:47):
And then they could really understand-
Speaker 1 (21:49):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (21:49):
... th- the vision.
Speaker 1 (21:50):
"This is what it really is." Yeah.
Speaker 2 (21:51):
Yes, and so, they were working with it, and then came along COVID, where all of a sudden-
Speaker 1 (21:56):
Oh, jeez.
Speaker 2 (21:56):
... we're pulling pumps out of the rooms-
Speaker 1 (21:58):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (21:59):
... and needing a way to keep the lines off the floor. And she said she literally ran to Nancy Albert's office-
Speaker 1 (22:00):
Oh my gosh.
Speaker 2 (22:04):
... and said, "I have the solution."
Speaker 1 (22:06):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (22:06):
And so, it's really fun because that was in a time where-
Speaker 1 (22:09):
I didn't know it was part of the story, yeah, that's while.
Speaker 2 (22:10):
Uh, yeah. Yeah. And so, we were able to develop it-
Speaker 1 (22:13):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (22:14):
... very quickly.
Speaker 1 (22:14):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (22:15):
And use it in our hospitals. We also shared it with other hospitals.
Speaker 1 (22:15):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (22:19):
And so, since then it's been patented. She just got three patents.
Speaker 1 (22:22):
Awesome.
Speaker 2 (22:22):
And working with an external company on it. So-
Speaker 1 (22:24):
That's fantastic.
Speaker 2 (22:25):
So, it's such a fun story. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (22:28):
It is. And so- so nurses listening everywhere, although it doesn't have to be a thing, it can be a thing. And it can be something real, that you're making huge changes with.
Speaker 2 (22:36):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 1 (22:37):
So, obviously there's a lotta joy that can come from this process. What would be the other benefits for a nurse to participate in innovation?
Speaker 2 (22:45):
I do see nurses really loving the journey and feeling like-
Speaker 1 (22:45):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (22:49):
... they have been part of the change agent-
Speaker 1 (22:49):
Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2 (22:52):
... that we talked about, bettering patient care. And they're the ones that really, it's almost like they need that creative outlet-
Speaker 1 (22:59):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (22:59):
... continually. There is the monetary.
Speaker 1 (23:01):
Oh, okay.
Speaker 2 (23:02):
And so, different hospitals have different set ups.
Speaker 1 (23:03):
Sure.
Speaker 2 (23:04):
And once they, if you sell it externally-
Speaker 1 (23:07):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (23:07):
... that there could be a portion that goes back to the inventor.
Speaker 1 (23:10):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (23:10):
And so, that changes, so that's something to know-
Speaker 1 (23:12):
(laughs) Sure.
Speaker 2 (23:13):
... within your hospital.
Speaker 1 (23:13):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (23:13):
So, there is that.
Speaker 1 (23:14):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (23:14):
But, you know, I would say, when people, you know, they kinda get bright eyes when I say, "There could be monetary."
Speaker 1 (23:15):
Yes, yes.
Speaker 2 (23:21):
And I say, "That's a long time down the road."
Speaker 1 (23:23):
Yeah. (laughs)
Speaker 2 (23:23):
If you're doing it for the money, that's the-
Speaker 1 (23:25):
(laughs)
Speaker 2 (23:26):
... you probably won't get there.
Speaker 1 (23:28):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (23:28):
There's a lot of passion, patience and persistence, that-
Speaker 1 (23:31):
Oh, there you go.
Speaker 2 (23:32):
... needs to go in-
Speaker 1 (23:32):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (23:33):
... to the mix. So.
Speaker 1 (23:34):
So, we do have listeners that are Cleveland Clinic caregivers. You've inspired them, if- if I'm a Cleveland Clinic nurse, where can I go, what portal can I launch into to get some help?
Speaker 2 (23:44):
Yeah, so we have the Step Forward portal.
Speaker 1 (23:46):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (23:46):
And it's located on the nursing internet homepage-
Speaker 1 (23:49):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (23:49):
... on the right hand side.
Speaker 1 (23:50):
(laughs) All right.
Speaker 2 (23:51):
So, you'll see it. It's big. So, we have different sections of ideas that we take.
Speaker 1 (23:51):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (23:56):
It could be new or novel ideas, improvements on a product, it can be technology related. This is a largely within EPIC-
Speaker 1 (23:56):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (24:05):
... maybe there's a digital development that you have ideas in mind.
Speaker 1 (24:07):
Oh, okay. Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (24:08):
Or something within the enterprise.
Speaker 1 (24:10):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (24:10):
And so, that portal all goes streamline to me.
Speaker 1 (24:10):
(laughs)
Speaker 2 (24:13):
And I respond to each idea individually.
Speaker 1 (24:16):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (24:17):
Because each idea is so unique-
Speaker 1 (24:17):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (24:19):
... and it can take me some time to respond to some of them.
Speaker 1 (24:21):
Sure.
Speaker 2 (24:21):
Sometimes I'm doing background work, just to make sure that I'm caught up on what they're talking about.
Speaker 1 (24:22):
Hm, yeah.
Speaker 2 (24:27):
And then moving them to next steps. If it's something that we need to cultivate-
Speaker 1 (24:31):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (24:32):
... with a chance that we're going to be presenting it to CC Innovations, I like to reach out and have a meeting with them. I just think a lot happens within, you know, 20 minute conversation.
Speaker 1 (24:41):
Yeah, yeah, oh, yeah. (laughs)
Speaker 2 (24:41):
And so, we do that. If it's potentially like EPIC or digital related, or internal, then I have contacts c-
Speaker 1 (24:41):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (24:48):
... that can help me, and we can determine how we can provide next steps. But I always try to provide feedback, and just make sure that they know that they've been heard.
Speaker 1 (24:49):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (24:57):
I think that's a really big one, as-
Speaker 1 (24:57):
Oh, absolutely.
Speaker 2 (24:59):
... an old nurse manager-
Speaker 1 (24:59):
(laughs)
Speaker 2 (25:00):
... if I can help caregivers feel heard-
Speaker 1 (25:03):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (25:04):
... I think that is huge for engagement, so.
Speaker 1 (25:07):
Sure. And- and this idea might n- not be the ne going forward, but I'm sure that the way you're responding makes them think, "Okay, I just need to keep thinking about this, maybe the next one."
Speaker 2 (25:15):
I hope so.
Speaker 1 (25:15):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (25:16):
I hope so. And sometimes it's just a matter of realizing, "Oh, I do have this idea and I'm on the right path."
Speaker 1 (25:22):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (25:22):
And maybe we've already thought about it. Or we've already-
Speaker 1 (25:24):
Sure.
Speaker 2 (25:24):
... considered this product-
Speaker 1 (25:25):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (25:26):
... and it's just not quite meeting our quality needs, but down the road, you could see this.
Speaker 1 (25:30):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (25:30):
Or something's in the works, hold on tight.
Speaker 1 (25:32):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (25:33):
So, I think it's a lot of just communicating with that.
Speaker 1 (25:35):
Wonderful. Well, Karen, you've shared so much really impactful information with the audience today. I wanted just a few more minutes and flip to the speed round, so that-
Speaker 2 (25:36):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (25:43):
... our audience can get to learn a little bit more about you as an amazing human being, in addition to all the things that you do for our nurses and your organization. So, your first question is, what's something you do for you to recharge?
Speaker 2 (25:56):
I love taking walks.
Speaker 1 (25:58):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (25:58):
So, yeah, on Sundays, my mom and I take walks.
Speaker 1 (26:01):
Aw.
Speaker 2 (26:01):
And it really, it does recharge.
Speaker 1 (26:02):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (26:03):
So, with my dog, and-
Speaker 1 (26:03):
(laughs)
Speaker 2 (26:04):
... we just go for, you know, a couple miles.
Speaker 1 (26:06):
Nice. Wonderful.
Speaker 2 (26:08):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (26:08):
And if you weren't a nurse, what would your passion career be?
Speaker 2 (26:11):
Probably interior design or architecture.
Speaker 1 (26:14):
Really?
Speaker 2 (26:15):
I ... Yeah, I love all that. But it's fun to see as I'm creating sometimes-
Speaker 1 (26:19):
Oh, yeah.
Speaker 2 (26:19):
... with nurses, I kinda see the parallels of how I enjoy that outside of work-
Speaker 1 (26:20):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (26:24):
... and how it kinda translate to my profession now.
Speaker 1 (26:27):
Perfect. Well, thank you so much for joining us today, Karen.
Speaker 2 (26:29):
Thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (26:35):
As always, thanks so much for joining us for today's discussion. Don't miss out, subscribe to hear new episodes wherever you get your podcasts. And remember, we want to hear from you. Do you have ideas for future podcasts or want to share your stories? Email us at nurseessentials@ccf.org. To learn more about nursing at Cleveland Clinic, please check us out at clevelandclinic.org/nursing. Until next time, take care of yourselves and take care of each other. The information in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only, and does not constitute medical or legal advice. Consult your local state boards of nursing for any specific practice questions.